Transportation system with docking and lane transfer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A transportation system including apparatus for docking and lane transfer of air cushion vehicles. A loading platform located alongside a roadway, track or guideway system has a reciprocable docking device located in a compartment beneath the platform which is operable to extend and engage a vehicle traveling along a traffic lane of the guideway system and to subsequently retract and move the vehicle transversely off the traffic lane to a position alongside the loading platform, or to another traffic lane. The vehicle is secured to the docking device by electromagnets. The docking device provides an external power source for the air cushion devices, and for continuous operation of lights, air conditioning and heating system, and other environmental controls and communication equipment of the vehicle during the time that the vehicle is positioned at the loading platform.

United States Patent [191 Donlon et al.

[ 1 Jan. 16, 1973 David E. Close, Centerline; Peter B. Loomis, Birmingham, both of Mich.

[73] Assignee: Transportation Technology, Inc.,

' Denver, C010.

[22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 86,664

[52] 11.8. Cl. ..104/31, 104/23 FS, 214/38 BB [51] Int. Cl ..B61b l/00, B61b 12/08 [58] Field of Search ..l04/134, 23 PS, 31, 26, 27, 104/28, 29, 30, 261, 262, 264, 148 MS; 180/116; 114/5 F, 230, 231; 214/388 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,368,496 2/1968 Falk ..104/3l 3,430,600 3/1969 Lezak 1 14/230 .....ll4/5 F 1/1924 Wolf 214/388 B 1,479,767 1,775,799 9/1930 Young ..2l4/l6.l CD 2,779,484 l/l957 Schramm ..214/16.1 R

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 689,075 3/1953 Great Britain ..2l4/16.1 CD

Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-D. W. Keen AttorneyBarnard, McGlynn & Reising [57] ABSTRACT A transportation system including apparatus for docking and lane transfer of air cushion vehicles. A loading platform located alongside a roadway, track or guideway system has a reciprocable docking device located in a compartment beneath the platform which is operable to extend and engage a vehicle traveling along a traffic lane of the guideway system and to subsequently retract and move the vehicle transversely off the traffic lane to a position alongside the loading platform, or to another traffic lane. The vehicle issecured to the docking device by electromagnets. The docking device provides an external power source for the air cushion devices, and for continuous operation of lights, air conditioning and heating system, and other environmental controls and communication equipment of the vehicle during the time that the vehicle is positioned at the loading platform.

17 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 16 Ian 3.710.724

sum 2 OF 3 ATTO RN EYS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WITH DOCKING AND LANE TRANSFER APPARATUS This invention relates generally to transportation systems, and is particularly concerned with apparatus for docking vehicles for loading and unloading, as well as apparatus for laterally transferring a vehicle in the system from one traffic lane to another.

A growing need has developed in recent years for transportation systems in shopping centers, airports, university campuses, industrial complexes, parks and other centers of major activity for moving individuals or small groups of passengers from one point to another over planned routes. Omnidirectional vehicles such as air cushion supported vehicles propelled by linear motors are particularly suitable for use in such systems. Examples of such vehicles are disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,357,511; 3,385,228 and 3,470,827. In such systems, it is desirable that the vehicles be able to depart from loading areas on a random basis so that the vehicles will be available on demand. It is also desirable for the vehicles to be available at each loading station during times of low demand or little activity so that passengers do not have to wait at the loading station for a vehicle. For maximum efficiency, each vehicle should be located out of any traffic lane of the system, or out of the path of travel of any other moving vehicle during the time that it is stored at a loading station. Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to transfer vehicles from one traffic lane to another so that each vehicle is available for use over different routes in the system as demand requires.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a transportation system having docking and lane transferring apparatus capable of moving a vehiclelaterally into and out of a traffic lane for storage, for traveling on another traffic lane, or for loading and unloading.

A further object is to provide a transportation system for vehicles having omnidirectional suspension systems, such as air cushion suspension systems, with docking and lane transfer apparatus for selectively moving the vehicles transversely with respectto the direction of travel for transferring vehicles into or out of a traffic lane to a storage area, loading area, or to another traffic lane, and at the same time providing an external power source for the environmental controls and communication equipment of the vehicle.

A further object is to provide docking and lane transfer apparatus for moving vehicles transversely from a traffic lane to a loading platform, storage area, or another traffic lane.

Still another object lies in the provision of docking and lane transfer apparatus that is extendable from a stored position beneath a loading platform or the like to engage a vehicle on a traffic lane of a roadway or guideway system, and is then retractable to move the vehicle transversely from the traffic lane to a loading position alongside the loading platform, or to another traffic lane.

In carrying out the foregoing, and other objects, the present invention is embodied in a transportation system having a guideway system for omnidirectional vehicles supported on air cushion devices and propelled by linear induction motors, one element of which is embedded in the surface of the guideway system and the other element of which is carried by the movable from a retracted position in which it is located in a storage compartment beneath the loading platform and an extended position in which its front edge is positioned adjacent the edge of a traffic lane for vehicles moving along the guideway system. Vehicle engaging means in the form of electromagnets are mounted on the front edge of the docking device for engaging the vehicle located on the traffic lane. When the docking device is subsequently retracted beneath the loading platform, the vehicle is carried by the docking device transversely from the traffic lane to a position alongside the loading platform, or to another traffic lane. The docking device, in addition to the vehicle engaging means, may be provided with a power source engageable by brushes or contacts on the vehicle to provide electricity for the environmental controls and communications equipment of the vehicle, as well as for energizing the air cushion devices supporting the vehicle.

In a specific form of the invention, the docking device is in the form of a carriage or platform supported on wheels for movementbetween its extended and retracted positions. The carriage is made up of a framework having front, rear and side frame members with a comb tread cover, the electromagnets being mounted on the outboard edge of the carriage adjacent the front frame'member. The carriage is powered by a drive arrangement including a rotary induction motor driving a rotating arm through a gear reduction. The rotating arm is slidably connected with the carriage to extend and retract the carriage between cushioned limit stops when the arm is caused to rotate in opposite directions by the motor.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are plan views of a portion of a transportation system embodying the invention illustrating the sequential operation of docking apparatus incorporated in the system;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a transportation system embodying the invention wherein a vehicle located in one traffic lane of a guideway system can be laterally transferred to another traffic lane;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of docking apparatus embodying the invention with portions removed for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a loading and unloading area of a transportation system embodying the invention.

FIG. 7a is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating a is movable between extended and retracted positions relative to the loading platform 6. Vehicle engaging means designated by reference numeral 12 is carried by the docking device 10 for engaging a vehicle 14 located on the traffic lane 4 in the extended position of the docking device, and carrying the vehicle transversely from the traffic lane as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to a position alongside the loading platform 6, as shown in FIG. 3, upon subsequent retraction of the docking device.

The vehicle 14 is of the type supported on air cushion devices for omnidirectional movement, and is propelled over the guideway system by a linear induction motor having its secondary embedded in, or forming a part of, the surface of the guideway traffic lanes 2 and 4. The vehicle engaging means 12 is in the form of electromagnets carried by the front or outboard edge of the docking device 10. When the vehicle 14 is located alongside the docking platform 6, it is received in the docking area 8 located between the loading platform 6 and the adjacent traffic lane 4.

With reference to FIGS. and 6, a storage compart ment for the docking device is designated generally by reference numeral 16 and is defined beneath the platform 6, the docking device 10 being received in the storage compartment 16 in its retracted position. The

, storage compartment 16 includes a bottom wall or floor 18, a rear wall 17, and side walls 20 and 22 in FIGS. 5 and 6. The floor 18 of the compartment forms a continuation of the surface of the docking area 8. In FIG. 6, platform 6 is made up of a plurality of I-beams 7 supporting upper and lower sheets 9.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the docking device 10 is in the form of a carriage having a front or outboard edge portion 24 parallel with the adjacent edge portion of the traffic lane 4 and defined by a front frame member 25, a pair of side edge portions defined by side frame members 26 and 28 extending rearwardly from the front frame member, and a rear edge portion defined by a rear frame member 30 which is spaced rearwardly from the front frame member-25 and extends between the side frame members 26 and 28. In the illustrated embodiment, a cross frame member 32 extends between the side frame members 26 and 28 intermediate the front and rear frame members 25 and 30, and intermediate frame members 34 extend 'fore and aft between frame members 25 and 32, and between frame members 32 and 30.

Power means is provided for moving the carriage or docking device 10 between its extended and retracted positions. The power means is in the form of rotary induction motor 38 mounted beneath the platform 6 in a pit or recess 36. The output shaft 37 of the motor 38 has a pulley or sprocket mounted thereon which in turn is drivingly connected by a belt or chain 40 with a pulley or sprocket mounted on the input shaft 41 of a gear box 42. An actuating arm'44 is secured to the output shaft of the gear box 42 and has a follower roller 46 mounted on its outer end which is engaged with the carriage 10.

A generally U-shaped strap member mounted on frame member 30 defines an elongated slot or track 48 for the roller 46. Rotation of the actuating arm 44 through an arc of l80 about the axis of the output shaft 45 of the gear box 42 causes the carriage to move between its extended and retracted positions. The actuating arm 44 is movable by the motor 38 between a first position shown in full lines in FIG. 5 and a second position shown in phantom lines 180 about the axis of shaft 45 from the first position wherein the roller 46 is positioned adjacent the rear wall -17 of the compartment 16 in FIG. 5 to move the carriage between its extended and retracted positions, respectively.

The carriage 10 is supported vertically by a plurality of rollers 52 carried by the side frame members 26 and 28 and the fore and aft extending intermediate frame members 34. The carriage is guided transversely by guide rollers 54 rotatable about vertical axes and mounted on the side frame members 26 and 28 for engagement with the vertical side surfaces 22 and 20 of the compartment 16. Each of the guide rollers 54 is mounted on the carriage 10 for rotation about a vertical axis for engagement with one of the vertical side surfaces of the compartment.

With reference to FIG. 5, a power rail 60 extends alongside the traffic lane for engagement by electrical contact devices or brushes 64 (FIG. 6) carried by the vehicle 14 to thereby transmit electricity to the vehicle from the power rails to run the environmental control systems of the vehicle such as lights, air conditioning and heating systems, and for powering the suspension air motors for the air cushion devices 15 of the vehicle.

' The power rail 60 is connected with a source of electricity and supplies electricity to the vehicle when the vehicle contacts 64 are in engagement with the power rail.

When the vehicle is engaged by the docking device 10 and moved by the docking device 10 to the loading platform 6, it may of course be desirable to continue the operation of the environmental control systems of the vehicle. Consequently, an auxiliary power rail 62 is mounted on the front, outboard edge of the docking device 10 for engagement by the brushes 64 (FIG. 6) of the vehicle 14 so that electricity can be provided for the vehicle during the time that it is located in a docking area 8, or adjacent a loading platform 6.

The power rail 60 in FIG. 5 is mounted on a vertical wall 61 at the side of traffic lane 4 and is shown to be interrupted at the area of the loading platform, and the auxiliary power rail 62 bridges the interruption of power rail 60 in the extended position of the docking device 10. The power rail 60 can of course be located on the opposite side of the traffic lane from wall 61 so as not to be interrupted at the docking area. Additionally, a segment of the power rail 60 can be located on the side wall of the guideway traffic lane 4 opposite the docking area for engagement by brushes on the opposite side of the vehicle when the docking device is retracted so that the power supply to the vehicle is not interrupted as the vehicle moves past a retracted docking device 10.

Electrical contact devices or brushes 68 are carried by the side frame member 26 and are electrically connected with the auxiliary power rail 62 and the electromagnets 12. Brushes 68 engage power take-off rails 70 on side wall 22 which in turn are connected with a source of electricity through a conductor 72 (FIG. 6). The brushes 68 are in contact with the power rails 70 in all positions of the docking device.

- FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a guideway system including a pair of traffic lanes 102 and 104 having parallel, side by side, juxtaposed portions as shown in FIG. 4-.

A docking device 110 is movable between a retracted position stored beneath a platform 106 in which its outboard edge 111 is positioned adjacent the outboard edge 113 of lane 104 and an extended position as shown in full lines wherein its outboard edge 111 is positioned along the inboard edge 115 of lane 102. Consequently, a vehicle 114 positioned on lane 102 can be engaged by electromagnets 112 carried by the docking device 1 and transformed laterally from lane 102 to lane 104 as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4 by subsequent retraction of the docking device 110. As a result, when a vehicle located on the route including traffic lane 102 is needed on a route having a higher demand, it can be transferred from one traffic lane to another. The docking device'110 may of course be of the same construction as the docking device 10 of FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, including the electrical power supply arrangement and arrangement for driving the docking device between positions.

FIG. 7 indicates a passenger loading and unloading station of a transportation system embodying the invention. The loading station of FIG. 7 is located adjacent a traffic lane 204 of the guideway system and includes a loading platform 206 having a location spaced to one side of the traffic lane 204. A pair of reciprocable docking devices 210 and 211 are'movable between extended and retracted positions relative to the platform 206 and are stored beneath the platform 206 in their retracted positions. The docking devices 210 and 211 are identical to each other and may of course be identical construction to the docking device 10 described in detail in connection with FIGS. 1 through 3, 5 and 6. The docking devices 210 and 211 are provided with comb tread covers 217.

A guard rail 213 extends along the front edge of the loading platform 206 and is provided with conventional gates to permit access to vehicles located adjacent the loading platform 206. A guardrail 215 is also shown extending along a divider strip 209 extending between 1 the two docking devices 210 and 211.

As in the case with the arrangement of FIGS. 5 and 6, a power rail 260 extends along a verticle ledge 261 at the side of the traffic lane 204. Similarly, an auxiliary power rail 264 is mounted on the outboard edge of the docking device 210 beneath the electromagnet 212. Reference numeral 205 designates the secondary or stator portion of a linear electric motor which is embedded in the surface of the traffic lane 204 for cooperation with a primary or rotor portion of the linear motor carried by vehicles for propelling the vehicles over the traffic lane 204.

FIG. 7a illustrates a vehicle 214 having air cushion suspension devices 215 and a linear motor primary element 220. A mechanical back-up latch arm 222 is mounted on the vehicle 214 for movement between an active position as shown in full lines in FIG. 7a and an inactive position as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7a. The latch arm 222 is pivoted to the vehicle at 223 and is provided with a roller 226 on its outer end for engagement with a downwardly projecting lip 227 carried by the docking device 210. When the electromagnets 212 are energized to attract the vehicle 214 to the docking device 210, the roller 226 is not in engagement with lip 227. However, in the event of failure of the electromagnets 212, the roller 226 engages lip 227 to maintain the vehicle in engagement with the docking device 210 until the latch arm 222 is actuated byconventional means to its inactive position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7a.

With the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, vehicles having different destinations along the traffic lane 204 can be loaded and unloaded simultaneously with the use of the two docking devices 210 and 211.

While a specific form of the invention has been illustrated and described in the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction shown. Alterations in the construction and arrangement of parts will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a loading platform having a location spaced to one side of said traffic lane; a reciprocable docking device movable between extended and retracted positions relative to said platform; vehicle engaging means carried by said docking device for engaging a vehicle on said traffic lane in the extended position of said docking device and carrying the vehicle transversely to a position alongside said platform upon subsequent retraction of said docking device; a storage compartment for said docking device defined beneath said platform, said docking device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said docking device comprising a carriage having a front edge portion parallel with the adjacent edge portion of the traffic lane, a pair of side edge portions extending rearwardly from said front edge portion and a-rear edge portion spaded rearwardly from said front edge portion and extending between said side edge portions, said vehicle engaging means being mounted on said front edge portion; power means for moving said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, said power means including a motor mounted beneath said platform, and an actuating arm drivingly connected with said motor and engaged with said docking device, said actuating arm being movable by said motor between first and second positions to move said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, respectively; and means defining an elongated slot on said carriage extending parallel to said front edge portion, said actuating arm being slidably engaged with said slot for actuating said carriage between its extended and retracted positions.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle engaging means comprises at least one electromagnet.

' 3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motor is located in a recess in the floor of said compartment.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of rollers each mounted on said carriage for rotation about a horizontal axis for supporting said carriage for movement between its extended and retracted positions.

5. A transportation system comprisingz-a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a loading platform having a location spaced to one side of said traffic lane; a reciprocable docking device movable between extended and retracted positions relative to said platform; vehicle engaging means carried by said docking device for engaging a vehicle on said traffic lane in the extended position of said docking device and carrying the vehicle transversely to a position alongside said platform upon subsequent retraction of said docking device; a storage compartment for said docking device defined beneath said platform, said docking device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said vehicle engaging means comprising a magnet; a power rail extending along said guideway for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling along said guideway, and an auxiliary power rail carried by said docking device for transmitting electricity to a vehicle engaged by said docking device.

6. A system as claimed in claim including linear electric motor means in the surface of said traffic lane.

7. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a loading platform having a location spaced to one side of said traffic lane; a reciprocable docking device movable between extended and retracted positions relative to said platform; vehicle engaging means carried by said docking device for engaging a vehicle on said traffic lane in the extended position of said docking device and carrying the vehicle transversely to a position alongside said platform upon subsequent retraction of said docking device; a storage compartment for said docking device defined beneath said platform, said docking device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said docking device comprising a carriage having a front edge portion parallel with the adjacent edge portion of the traffic lane, a pair of side edge portions extending rearwardly from said front edge portion, and a rear edge portion spaced rearwardly from said front edge portion and extending between said side edge portions, said vehicle engaging means being mounted on said front edge portion; power means for moving said carriage between its extended and retracted positions; a plurality of rollers each mounted on said carriage for rotation about a horizontal axis for supporting said carriage for movement between its extended and retracted positions; a plurality of guide rollers each mounted on said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis for engagement with a vertical side surface of said compartment; a power rail extending along said guideway for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling along said guideway, and a docking power rail carried on the front edge portion of said carriage for transmitting electricity to a vehicle engaged by said docking device.

8. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a docking and lane transfer device reciprocable in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane for movement between a retracted position spaced transversely from one edge of said one traffic lane and an extended position with an outboard edge portion of said device is located at said one edge of said one traffic lane; vehicle engaging means carried by said device for engaging a vehicle in said one traffic lane when said device is in its extended position and thereafter moving said vehicle transversely off of said one trafi'rc lane upon retraction of said device; a storage compartment defined at a location spaced to one side of said one traffic lane, said docking and lane transfer device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said device comprising a wheeled carriage, said vehicle engaging means comprising at least one magnet mounted on said outboard edge portion; a power rail extending along said one traffic lane for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling over said one traffic lane; and an auxiliary power rail mounted on the said outboard edge portion for transmitting electricity to a vehicle engaged by said carriage.

9. A transportation system as claimed in claim 8 in cluding a power take-off rail in said compartment connected with a source of electricity, and contact means on said carriage electrically connected with said auxiliary power rail and slidably engaged with said power take-off so as to be in electrical contact therewith in all positions of said carriage.

10. A transportation system as claimed in claim 9 including power means mounted in said compartment for moving said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, said power means including a motor having an output shaft; a gearbox having input and output shafts; means drivingly connecting the motor output shaft with the input shaft of said gearbox; an actuating arm fixed to the output shaft of said gearbox; means defining a slot on said carriage extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage; and means slidably connecting said actuating arm with said slot such that rotation of said arm about the axis of the output shaft of said gearbox causes said carriage to move between the extended and retracted positions.

11. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane; an air cushion vehicle for traveling over said guideway system; a linear electric motor for propelling said vehicle, one element of said linear electric motor being embedded in said traffic lane and the other element of said linear electricv motor being mounted on said vehicle; a docking and lane transfer device reciprocable in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane for movement between a retracted position spaced transversely from one edge of said one traffic lane and an extended position in which an outboard edge portion of said device is located adjacent said one edge of said one traffic lane; magnetic vehicle engaging means mounted on the outboard edge portion of said device for engaging the vehicle when said device is extended and for moving the vehicle transversely off said one traffic lane when said device is subsequently retracted; and a back-up latch carried by said vehicle for securing said vehicle to said device only upon failure of said magnetic vehicle engaging means.

12. A transportation system as claimed in claim 11 including a power rail extending along said guideway system for transmitting electricity to said vehicle as said vehicle travels over the traffic lane of said guideway system, and an auxiliary power rail on said device for transmitting electricity to said vehicle when said vehicle is engaged by said device.

13. A transportation system as claimed in claim 12 including a storage compartment defined at a location spaced to one side of said one traffic lane, said docking and lame transfer device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position.

14. A transportation system as claimed in claim 13 including a power take-off rail in said compartment connected with a source of electricity, and contact means on said device electrically connected with said auxiliary power rail and slidably engaged with said power take-off rail so as to be in electrical contact therewith in all positions of said device.

15. A transportation system as claimed in claim 14 including power means mounted in said compartment for moving said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, said power means including a motor having an output shaft; a gearbox having input and output shafts; means drivingly connecting the motor output shaft with the input shaft of said gearbox; an actuating arm fixed to the output shaft of said gearbox; means defining a slot on said carriage extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage; and means slidably connecting said actuating arm with said slot such that rotation of said arm about the axis of the output shaft of said gearbox. causes said carriage to move between the extended and retracted positions.

16. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane; at least one vehicle for traveling over said guideway system in either direction along said one traffic lane, support means on said vehicle for supporting said vehicle on a surface for omnidirectional movement; a loading platform spaced to one side of said one traffic lane; a docking and lane transfer device having an outboard edge parallel with said one traffic lane; vehicle engaging means on said outboard edge; means supporting said docking and lane transfer device for reciprocable movement in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane between a retracted position in which said docking and lane transfer device is received beneath said loading platform with said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon spaced transversely from one edge of said traffic lane and an extended position projecting from beneath said loading platform in which said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon is located adjacent said one edge of said one traffic lane but does not obstruct said one traffic lane; said vehicle engaging means being operable to engage said vehicle in said one traffic lane when said docking and lane transfer device is in its extended position and thereafter pull said vehicle transversely from said one traffic lane upon movement of said docking and lane transfer device to its retracted position to position said vehicle alongside said loading platform, and subsequently push said vehicle transversely back onto said one traffic lane upon subsequent movement of said docking and lane transfer device from its retracted to its extended position, said vehicle being supported by its support means during its movement to and from said traffic lane.

17. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane; an air cushion vehicle for traveling over said guideway system in either direction along said one traffic lane; a power rail extending along said one traffic lane for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling over said one traffic lane; a loading platform spaced to one side of said one traffic lane; a docking and lane transfer device having an outboard edge parallel with said one traffic lane;

vehicle engaging means on said outboard ed e; means supporting said docking and lane transfer evice for reciprocable movement in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane between a retracted position in which said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon are spaced transversely from one edge of said traffic lane and an extended position in which said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon is located adjacent said one edge of said one traffic lane but does not obstruct said one traffic lane; said vehicle engaging means being operable to engage said vehicle in said one traffic lane when said docking and lane transfer device is in its extended position and thereafter pull said vehicle transversely from said one traffic lane upon movement of said docking and lane transfer device to its retracted position to position said vehicle alongside said loading platform, and subsequently push said vehicle transversely back onto said i one traffic lane upon subsequent movement of said docking and lane transfer device from its retracted to its extended position; and an auxiliary power rail mounted on said outboard edge for transmitting electricity to said vehicle when said vehicle is engaged by said docking and lane transfer device. 

1. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a loading platform having a location spaced to one side of said traffic lane; a reciprocable docking device movable between extended and retracted positions relative to said platform; vehicle engaging means carried by said docking device for engaging a vehicle on said traffic lane in the extended position of said docking device and carrying the vehicle transversely to a Position alongside said platform upon subsequent retraction of said docking device; a storage compartment for said docking device defined beneath said platform, said docking device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said docking device comprising a carriage having a front edge portion parallel with the adjacent edge portion of the traffic lane, a pair of side edge portions extending rearwardly from said front edge portion and a rear edge portion spaded rearwardly from said front edge portion and extending between said side edge portions, said vehicle engaging means being mounted on said front edge portion; power means for moving said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, said power means including a motor mounted beneath said platform, and an actuating arm drivingly connected with said motor and engaged with said docking device, said actuating arm being movable by said motor between first and second positions to move said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, respectively; and means defining an elongated slot on said carriage extending parallel to said front edge portion, said actuating arm being slidably engaged with said slot for actuating said carriage between its extended and retracted positions.
 2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vehicle engaging means comprises at least one electromagnet.
 3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motor is located in a recess in the floor of said compartment.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of rollers each mounted on said carriage for rotation about a horizontal axis for supporting said carriage for movement between its extended and retracted positions.
 5. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a loading platform having a location spaced to one side of said traffic lane; a reciprocable docking device movable between extended and retracted positions relative to said platform; vehicle engaging means carried by said docking device for engaging a vehicle on said traffic lane in the extended position of said docking device and carrying the vehicle transversely to a position alongside said platform upon subsequent retraction of said docking device; a storage compartment for said docking device defined beneath said platform, said docking device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said vehicle engaging means comprising a magnet; a power rail extending along said guideway for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling along said guideway, and an auxiliary power rail carried by said docking device for transmitting electricity to a vehicle engaged by said docking device.
 6. A system as claimed in claim 5 including linear electric motor means in the surface of said traffic lane.
 7. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a loading platform having a location spaced to one side of said traffic lane; a reciprocable docking device movable between extended and retracted positions relative to said platform; vehicle engaging means carried by said docking device for engaging a vehicle on said traffic lane in the extended position of said docking device and carrying the vehicle transversely to a position alongside said platform upon subsequent retraction of said docking device; a storage compartment for said docking device defined beneath said platform, said docking device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said docking device comprising a carriage having a front edge portion parallel with the adjacent edge portion of the traffic lane, a pair of side edge portions extending rearwardly from said front edge portion, and a rear edge portion spaced rearwardly from said front edge portion and extending between said side edge portions, said vehicle engaging means being mounted on said front edge portion; power means for moving said carriage between itS extended and retracted positions; a plurality of rollers each mounted on said carriage for rotation about a horizontal axis for supporting said carriage for movement between its extended and retracted positions; a plurality of guide rollers each mounted on said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis for engagement with a vertical side surface of said compartment; a power rail extending along said guideway for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling along said guideway, and a docking power rail carried on the front edge portion of said carriage for transmitting electricity to a vehicle engaged by said docking device.
 8. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane for vehicles; a docking and lane transfer device reciprocable in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane for movement between a retracted position spaced transversely from one edge of said one traffic lane and an extended position with an outboard edge portion of said device is located at said one edge of said one traffic lane; vehicle engaging means carried by said device for engaging a vehicle in said one traffic lane when said device is in its extended position and thereafter moving said vehicle transversely off of said one traffic lane upon retraction of said device; a storage compartment defined at a location spaced to one side of said one traffic lane, said docking and lane transfer device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position, said device comprising a wheeled carriage, said vehicle engaging means comprising at least one magnet mounted on said outboard edge portion; a power rail extending along said one traffic lane for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling over said one traffic lane, and an auxiliary power rail mounted on the said outboard edge portion for transmitting electricity to a vehicle engaged by said carriage.
 9. A transportation system as claimed in claim 8 including a power take-off rail in said compartment connected with a source of electricity, and contact means on said carriage electrically connected with said auxiliary power rail and slidably engaged with said power take-off so as to be in electrical contact therewith in all positions of said carriage.
 10. A transportation system as claimed in claim 9 including power means mounted in said compartment for moving said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, said power means including a motor having an output shaft; a gearbox having input and output shafts; means drivingly connecting the motor output shaft with the input shaft of said gearbox; an actuating arm fixed to the output shaft of said gearbox; means defining a slot on said carriage extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage; and means slidably connecting said actuating arm with said slot such that rotation of said arm about the axis of the output shaft of said gearbox causes said carriage to move between the extended and retracted positions.
 11. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane; an air cushion vehicle for traveling over said guideway system; a linear electric motor for propelling said vehicle, one element of said linear electric motor being embedded in said traffic lane and the other element of said linear electric motor being mounted on said vehicle; a docking and lane transfer device reciprocable in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane for movement between a retracted position spaced transversely from one edge of said one traffic lane and an extended position in which an outboard edge portion of said device is located adjacent said one edge of said one traffic lane; magnetic vehicle engaging means mounted on the outboard edge portion of said device for engaging the vehicle when said device is extended and for moving the vehicle transversely off said one traffic lane when said device is subsequently retracted; and a back-up latch carried by said vehicle for securinG said vehicle to said device only upon failure of said magnetic vehicle engaging means.
 12. A transportation system as claimed in claim 11 including a power rail extending along said guideway system for transmitting electricity to said vehicle as said vehicle travels over the traffic lane of said guideway system, and an auxiliary power rail on said device for transmitting electricity to said vehicle when said vehicle is engaged by said device.
 13. A transportation system as claimed in claim 12 including a storage compartment defined at a location spaced to one side of said one traffic lane, said docking and lane transfer device being received in said storage compartment in its retracted position.
 14. A transportation system as claimed in claim 13 including a power take-off rail in said compartment connected with a source of electricity, and contact means on said device electrically connected with said auxiliary power rail and slidably engaged with said power take-off rail so as to be in electrical contact therewith in all positions of said device.
 15. A transportation system as claimed in claim 14 including power means mounted in said compartment for moving said carriage between its extended and retracted positions, said power means including a motor having an output shaft; a gearbox having input and output shafts; means drivingly connecting the motor output shaft with the input shaft of said gearbox; an actuating arm fixed to the output shaft of said gearbox; means defining a slot on said carriage extending transversely of the direction of movement of said carriage; and means slidably connecting said actuating arm with said slot such that rotation of said arm about the axis of the output shaft of said gearbox causes said carriage to move between the extended and retracted positions.
 16. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane; at least one vehicle for traveling over said guideway system in either direction along said one traffic lane, support means on said vehicle for supporting said vehicle on a surface for omnidirectional movement; a loading platform spaced to one side of said one traffic lane; a docking and lane transfer device having an outboard edge parallel with said one traffic lane; vehicle engaging means on said outboard edge; means supporting said docking and lane transfer device for reciprocable movement in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane between a retracted position in which said docking and lane transfer device is received beneath said loading platform with said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon spaced transversely from one edge of said traffic lane and an extended position projecting from beneath said loading platform in which said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon is located adjacent said one edge of said one traffic lane but does not obstruct said one traffic lane; said vehicle engaging means being operable to engage said vehicle in said one traffic lane when said docking and lane transfer device is in its extended position and thereafter pull said vehicle transversely from said one traffic lane upon movement of said docking and lane transfer device to its retracted position to position said vehicle alongside said loading platform, and subsequently push said vehicle transversely back onto said one traffic lane upon subsequent movement of said docking and lane transfer device from its retracted to its extended position, said vehicle being supported by its support means during its movement to and from said traffic lane.
 17. A transportation system comprising: a guideway system having at least one traffic lane; an air cushion vehicle for traveling over said guideway system in either direction along said one traffic lane; a power rail extending along said one traffic lane for transmitting electricity to a vehicle traveling over said one traffic lane; a loading platform spaced to one side of said one traffic lane; a docking and lane transfeR device having an outboard edge parallel with said one traffic lane; vehicle engaging means on said outboard edge; means supporting said docking and lane transfer device for reciprocable movement in a path substantially normal to said one traffic lane between a retracted position in which said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon are spaced transversely from one edge of said traffic lane and an extended position in which said outboard edge and the vehicle engaging means thereon is located adjacent said one edge of said one traffic lane but does not obstruct said one traffic lane; said vehicle engaging means being operable to engage said vehicle in said one traffic lane when said docking and lane transfer device is in its extended position and thereafter pull said vehicle transversely from said one traffic lane upon movement of said docking and lane transfer device to its retracted position to position said vehicle alongside said loading platform, and subsequently push said vehicle transversely back onto said one traffic lane upon subsequent movement of said docking and lane transfer device from its retracted to its extended position; and an auxiliary power rail mounted on said outboard edge for transmitting electricity to said vehicle when said vehicle is engaged by said docking and lane transfer device. 